Colorado vs. Oregon Week 9 Picks: Ducks Need Style Points

The Oregon Ducks are looking for their third straight win, while the Colorado Buffaloes have struggled thus far in 2021. We're going to break down this Week 9 matchup with our Colorado vs Oregon picks.

The Pac-12 continues to produce competitive games with surprising results. The No. 7 Ducks controlled their own destiny at the start of October, but a devastating 31-24 overtime loss to Stanford may have ruined their title dreams. Their 2-5 against the spread record certainly has continued to paint a disappointing picture for the program.

The Buffaloes had low expectations entering the year. At 2-5 straight up and ATS, this is a team we've had more success betting against than on. They enter this game as massive underdogs.

Here are my picks and predictions for the Week 9 college football matchup between Colorado and Oregon (odds via BetMGM; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Colorado vs. Oregon Game Info

Date/Time: Saturday, October 30, 3:30pm ETTV: Pac-12 NetworkLocation: Autzen StadiumWeather: Partially cloudy, 60 degrees at kickoff, 20 percent chance of rain

Colorado vs. Oregon Odds Analysis

This line opened at 26.5 but has since dropped to 24 in favor of Oregon. It's strange to see the line move in that direction considering both teams have struggled to cover. The Buffaloes were blown out 26-3 last week against Cal, whereas the Ducks won, and covered, in an upset against UCLA.

Colorado vs. Oregon Betting Picks

Oregon -24 (-110) ???Under 49 (-115) ?????

SEE ALSO: College Football Week 9 Parlay Picks

Colorado vs. Oregon Betting Predictions

Oregon -24 (-110)

This is a lot of points considering the Ducks have scored more than 24 points only once in their last three games. Oregon is inconsistent thanks to the stalled development of QB Anthony Brown and a leg injury to RB CJ Verdell. However, this team is punishing in the trenches and has a solid defense.

At the very least, Oregon has a quality baseline for when it plays against lesser foes. Colorado certainly qualifies, as its offense may be the worst in the nation. The Buffaloes enter Week 9 125th in the nation with 15.1 points per game and 127th with 117.0 passing yards per game.

It's a shame because RB Jarek Broussard is quite good. His career numbers have been stunted by the continued decline of everything around him in Colorado. The Buffaloes have scored more than 14 points just twice this season. Those were against Northern Colorado Sept. 3, and Arizona two weeks ago.

I simply don't see how Colorado gets on the board more than twice. Oregon is conservative and runs the risk of sitting on a lead instead of earning the safe cover. I like the Ducks with the points, but I don't completely trust them.

Under 49 (-115)

The implied final of this game is strange. Colorado would need its third-highest point total of the season in order to cover and hit the Over 49. As such, I think this is a great opportunity to hammer the Under. Oregon is not the team to blow out an opponent by 40 or more points. 

If the Buffaloes had a more reliable offensive backbone to rely on each week, this might be more of a toss-up, but I'll be placing multiple units on this Under as my lock of the week.

SEE ALSO: All College Football Odds and Lines

Picks made 10/27/2021 at midnight ET.